More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. (Alfred, Lord Tennyson)
This Week’s Scripture · Isaiah 58 · Psalm 112 · 1 Corinthians 2 · Matthew 5:13-20 Adoration Psalm 112:1-2 Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! 2 His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (verses 1 & 2) Guide me, O thou great Jehovah, pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak, but thou art mighty; hold me with thy powerful hand. Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more. Open now the crystal fountain, whence the healing stream doth flow; let the fire and cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through. Strong deliverer, strong deliverer, be though still my strength and shield. (William Williams) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19) So fill my heart with love for you, that it will become the motive for all the use I make of my mind, my feelings, my senses, my health, my time, my property, and the skills I have received from you. Let me love nothing in this world except as love for you guides me, and so keep me from idolatry. Enable me to be more faithful in love for you during what remains of my life than I have been up to now. Make my resolve firm to love you not merely in words or emotions, but through loyal obedience to your commandments and to your work in the world this day and every day. Amen. (John Wesley) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving God of wisdom, I thank you that your wisdom is not like the wisdom of this age or the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. Indeed yours is the wisdom for all the ages, for you are the infinitely wise God of all times and places, and you give your wisdom freely to all who humbly ask you for it. O Lord of glory, I hardly know how to praise you for that which you have in store for those who love you. But for the gift of your Spirit who reveals your wisdom to those who know and love you, I thank you. I bless and honor you for giving me the mind of Christ, not because I deserved it, but because you are gracious. May I use this very mind, and all the wisdom contained therein, to live for you now and forevermore. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen. (from 1 Corinthians 2:6-16) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · Spiritual Warfare · Growth in Christlikeness · Increasing faithfulness in the spiritual disciplines · My health · For my ordinary appointments and activities to become divine appointments and activities. · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My Family · Mercy for those who are poor and hungry · Justice for those who are oppressed and persecuted · Peace for those in the midst of war, crime, and violence · Other needs Great art thou, O Lord, and greatly to be praised; great is thy power and thy wisdom is infinite. (The Book of Worship for Church and Home)
1 Comment
Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire? (Corrie Ten Boom)
This Week’s Scripture · Micah 6:1-8 · Psalm 15 · 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 · Matthew 5:1-12 Adoration 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose (verse 1) Thou hidden source of calm repose, thou all sufficient love divine, my help and refuge from my foes, secure I am if thou art mine; and lo! From sin and grief and shame I hide me, Jesus, in thy name. (Charles Wesley) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” (1 Corinthians 1:18-19) I confess to God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, before the whole Company of Heaven, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, deed and omission, by my fault, my own fault, my own most grievous fault: especially I accuse myself of the following sins… For these, and all my other sins which I cannot now remember, or know not of, I am heartily sorry. Amen. (The Pastor’s Prayerbook) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving O Lord of Glory, I give you my thanks and praise for your promises. I cling to them and am humbled by them. I praise you that in Christ, you forgave me, redeemed me, and made me something new. Now that your Spirit lives inside me, I can increasingly become the person you created and redeemed to be. I pray that by your grace and Spirit, you would give me both greater desire for, as well as success in growing in the following: to be poor in spirit so that the kingdom of heaven would be mine; to properly mourn, so I can receive your comfort; to become meek, so I may inherit the earth; to be satisfied as I hunger and thirst for righteousness; to grow in mercy toward others, that I might see you; to be a peacemaker, that I will be called a child of God; and that I might stand firm when I am threatened with persecution for the sake of righteousness, for again, the kingdom of heaven is mine. Gracious God, help me to become what and who you say I already in in Christ. For it is in his name and for his sake I pray. Amen. (from Matthew 5:1-10) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · My personal mission field Ø Help me to identify those people who make up my personal mission field. Ø Enable me to begin sharing the gospel with those who do not yet know you. Ø Empower me to disciple those who are young in their faith. Ø Allow me to encourage those who are struggling in their faith. Ø Please give me perseverance in all areas of ministry. · Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My family · For missionaries throughout the world · For those seeking to faithfully minister to loved ones at home · For those who share the gospel in the inner city · For those who bear witness to Christ in places of power · Other needs Thank you, my Lord, for choosing me to serve as one of your kingdom workers. I am your willing servant. Let your life flow through me according to your will. Amen. (Rueben Job) If man is man and God is God, to live without prayer is not merely an awful thing; it is an infinitely foolish thing. (Phillips Brooks) This Week’s Scripture · Isaiah 9:1-4 · Psalm 27 · 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 · Matthew 4:12-23 Adoration Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? O God, Our Help in Ages Past (verses 1-2) O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home! Under the shadow of thy throne, still may we dwell secure; sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defense is sure. (Isaac Watts) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:17-19) Merciful Redeemer, let your Holy Spirit guide and help me this day to worship you as you deserve. Let your Spirit keep my thoughts from wandering from you, fan the flames of my love for you, and arouse my desire to worship and obey you. I am drawn to love you even more by the kindness you have shown me: giving me life, ransoming my soul, and leading me to the eternal joys you have prepared for those who serve you. Loving you is the goal for which I was created; therefore, I can have no happiness apart from loving you. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen. (John Wesley) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving All praise goes to you my God, for you are my light and my salvation. I thank you that I, therefore, should fear no one, for you alone are the stronghold of my life. When all the world seems to be against me, when evil times appear to be prevailing, my heart will not fear, for you will hide me in your shelter on such days of trouble. I will cast all my cares and anxieties upon you for you will lift me high upon a rock. My thanks to you will turn into joyful songs because you are my God. I praise you my loving Father for your goodness to me and the courage you provide me each and every day. In your name I pray, Amen. (from Psalm 27) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · Lord, help me to faithfully participate in the life of my congregation and for the sake of my community… Ø By my prayers Ø By my presence Ø By my gifts Ø By my service Ø By my witness · Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My family · For those who serve in government, at the national, state, and local levels · For those who serve in law-enforcement · For those who serve in fire and rescue · For those who serve in our nation’s military · Other needs Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to the sons of men! (Psalm 107:8)
If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me. (Robert Murray McCheyne) This Week’s Scripture · Isaiah 49:1-7 · Psalm 40:1-11 · 1 Corinthians 1:10-9 · John 1:29-42 Adoration Psalm 40:1-2 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (verse 1) A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal. (Martin Luther) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ (John 1:29-30) Our heavenly Father, for deafness to thy call; for slothfulness in service; for indifference to the needs of others; for unwillingness to bear our brother’s burden; for our faltering witness for thee; Lord have mercy upon us. Amen. (The Book of Worship for Church and Home) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving Loving Shepherd of our souls, we give you thanks for your followers in every land and for your grace given them in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thank you for enriching them in all speech and knowledge of you, even as many of them are under persecution for their life and witness for you. We praise you that they are not lacking in any of the gifts needed to serve you and we pray you will sustain them to the end, that they might be found guiltless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his most holy name we pray. Amen. (from 1 Corinthians 1:4-9) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · Give me greater love for those who are hard to love. · Help me to be compassionate and kind to those in need, even when it’s inconvenient. · Pour out upon me your courage and boldness to love those who do not know you and to share with them your Gospel, in word and deed. · Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My family · My family and friends who do not have a saving relationship with Christ · For those in my other spheres of influence who do not know Christ · For evangelists around our city, country, and world who risk much in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with those who are lost · Other needs The Lord our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey. (Joshua 24:24)
I am so busy now that if I did not spend two or three hours each day in prayer, I would not get through the day. (Martin Luther)
This Week’s Scripture · Isaiah 42:1-9 · Psalm 29 · Acts 10:34-43 · Matthew 3:13-17 Adoration Psalm 29:1-2 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (verse 1) Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible his from our eyes, most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise. (Walter Chalmers Smith) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that [Jesus Christ] is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:42-43) Thou Righteous and Holy Sovereign, in whose hand is my life and whose are all my ways, keep me from fluttering about religion; fix me firm in it, for I am irresolute; my decisions are smoke and vapor, and I do not glorify thee, or behave according to thy will; Cut me not off before my thoughts grow to responses, and the budding of my soul into full flower, for thou art forbearing and good, patient and kind. Amen. (The Valley of Vision) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving Gracious Father, we thank you for the baptism of the Lord Jesus. As we read your Word, we remember the ways in which he became like us to be our perfect covenant head. Just as he represented us in life, so too he represented us his death, resurrection, and ascension. We praise you for his active righteousness, even unto baptism. We know this pleased you for you declared that he was your beloved Son, with whom you were well pleased. Merciful God, thank you for saving us through the person and work of your beloved Son. Move us to live lives of grateful response and joyful obedience all the days of our lives. In Christ’s holy name we pray. Amen. (from Matthew 3:13-17) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · Give me greater knowledge, depth of insight, and understanding of God’s Word. · Remind me daily of who I am in Christ. Let me be defined by who God says I am, not the world around me. · Guide me into greater understanding and faithfulness of God’s call in my life. · Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My family · My pastor(s), church staff, and missionaries · Those wrestling with anger, anxiety, or the overwhelming desire to please people at all costs · Other needs O God, which by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only begotten son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant, that we, which know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through Christ our Lord. (Thomas Cranmer) He who prays as he ought will endeavor to live as he prays. (John Owen)
This Week’s Scripture · Isaiah 52:7-10 · Psalm 98 · Hebrews 1:1-12 · John 1:1-14 Adoration Psalm 98:1-2 Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. 2 The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. From All That Dwells Below the Skies (verse 1) From all that dwell below the skies, let the Creator’s praise arise; let the Redeemer’s name be sung, through every land by every tongue. (Isaac Watts) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:9-13) Let us humbly confess our sins to almighty God, our heavenly Father, praying that he will make us to know the faults we have not known, and that he will show us the harmful consequences of those things in us which we have not cared to control. Amen. (The Book of Worship for Church and Home) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving Lord of heaven and earth, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we give you our deepest and most heartfelt gratitude for the Gospel of our Savior, our only hope in life and death. We thank you for the abundance of life we have in him now and for the eternal life we will one day experience, the life promised to those who call upon his name. Merciful and good God, help us to sing your praises all our days for your great love, for you have bared your holy arm before the eyes of all nations and all the ends of the earth shall see your salvation. In Christ’s most holy name we pray. Amen. (from Isaiah 52:7-10) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · Help me to grow in wisdom and become who you created and redeemed me to be. · Renew my mind and enable me to cultivate a godly perspective and attitude regarding the various spheres and circumstances of my life. · Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My family, immediate and extended · Those struggling with sin, illness, or difficulties in their workplace · Other needs Faith reposes on the character of God, and if we believe that God is perfect, we must conclude that his way are perfect also. (A.W. Tozer) God’s way of answering the Christian’s prayer for more patience, experience, hope, and love often is to put him into the furnace of affliction. (Richard Cecil)
This Week’s Scripture · Isaiah 7:10-16 · Psalm 80:1-19 · Romans 1:1-7 · Matthew 1:18-25 Adoration Psalm 80:17-19 But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself! 18 Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name! 19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved! To God Be the Glory (verse 1) To God be the glory, great things he hath done! So loved he the world that he gave us his Son, who yielded his life an atonement for sin, and opened the life-gate that all may go in. (Fanny Crosby) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. 2Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might and come to save us! (Psalm 80:1-2) O God, while I am yet a great way off, thou comest to meet me to take me to thy heart and bring me to thy house and to thy table. O God, prepare me for reunion with thy love, for I have sinned against thee and am not worthy to be called thy son. O God, forgive me for not giving thee thy rightful place in my life. Amen. (Miles Lowell Yates) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving God our Father, for your gospel, which you promised beforehand through your prophets in the holy Scriptures, we thank you. For that good news concerning your Son, who was descended from David, according to the flesh, we give you thanks. For him who was declared to be the very Son of God in power, according to your Spirit of holiness by raising him from the dead, we give you thanks. That Jesus of Nazareth is Son, Savior, and Lord, we give you thanks. We praise you for the grace we have received in his name and for calling us into saving union with Christ our Lord. In his most holy name we pray. Amen. (from Romans 1:1-7) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petition – prayers for yourself) · Help me to mature in my faith and to increasingly please God by my thoughts, words, and deeds. · Particular struggles in various relationships · My activities for this day · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My Family · My local church · My denomination · Para-church ministries, particularly Christian education and discipleship · Evangelistic ministries · Other needs I have tasted thee, and now I hunger for thee. Thou has touched me, and now I burn with desire for thy peace. (St. Augustine) God will either give you what you ask, or something far better. (Robert Murray McCheyne)
This Week’s Scripture · Isaiah 35:1-10 · Psalm 146:5-10 · James 5:7-10 · Matthew 11:2-11; Luke 1:47-55 Adoration Psalm 146:5-7 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; 7 who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above (verse 1) Praise the Lord who reigns above and keeps his court below; praise the holy God of love and all his greatness show; praise him for his noble deeds, praise him for his matchless power; him from whom all good proceeds let earth and heaven adore. (Charles Wesley) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. (James 5:7-9) Thou Blessed Spirit, Author of all grace and comfort… make me willing to be saved in his way, perceiving nothing in myself, but all in Jesus: Help me not only to receive him but to walk in him, depend upon him, commune with him, be conformed to him, follow him, imperfect, but still pressing forward, not complaining of labor, but valuing rest, not murmuring under trials, but thankful for my state. Amen. (The Valley of Vision) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving Loving Father, we give you thanks for our Lord Jesus Christ, who, even as a young boy, astounded learned men with his understanding. So focused on pleasing you was he, that he astonished his parents, even in the midst of their worry and concern. His love for and commitment to you was so great at an early age that he knew he must be in your house. Gracious God, as our Lord Jesus at such a tender age knew, loved, and followed you so faithfully, enable us to do the same. Help us to increase in wisdom and stature and in favor with you and others as we love and serve you and others. We humbly ask this in the name of our Savior. Amen. (from Luke 2:47-52) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · Spiritual Warfare · Growth in Christlikeness · Increasing faithfulness in the spiritual disciplines · My health · For my ordinary appointments and activities to become divine appointments and activities. · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My Family · Mercy for those who are poor and hungry · Justice for those who are oppressed and persecuted · Peace for those in the midst of war, crime, and violence · Other needs Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream. (Amos 5:24) God never ceases to speak to us, but the noise of the world without and the tumult of our passions within bewilder us and prevent us from listening to him. (Francois Fenelon)
This Week’s Scripture · Isaiah 11:1-10 · Psalm 72:1-19 · Romans 15:4-13 · Matthew 3:1-12 Adoration Psalm 72:18-19 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. 19 Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen! For the Beauty of the Earth (verse 1) For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies; Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise. (Folliot S. Pierpoint) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 3:8-10) O holy and merciful God, we confess that we have not always taken upon ourselves the yoke of obedience, nor been willing to seek and to do your perfect will. We have not loved you with all our heart and mind and soul and strength, neither have we loved our neighbors as ourselves. You have called to us in the need of our sisters and brothers, and we have passed unheeding on our way. For all of this, we ask you to forgive us of our sins. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen. (United Methodist Book of Worship) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving God of endurance and encouragement, we thank you for your Word made flesh as well as your written Word. We know that what was written long ago was written for our instruction, so that through our endurance and the encouragement we receive from the Scriptures, we may have hope. We praise you for not leaving us in the dark, groping for something to grasp. Instead, you have given us a lamp for our feet and a light for our path, that we might follow our Lord through this shadowy world. Almighty God, use this hope we have as followers of your Son to enable us live in harmony with fellow Christians so we may raise our voices together to bring you the glory and honor due your name. And we pray that when the rest of the world sees such worship, they too will turn to you and give you praise. For it is in the name of Christ we pray. Amen. (from Romans 15:4-7) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · My personal mission field Ø Help me to identify those people who make up my personal mission field. Ø Enable me to begin sharing the gospel with those who do not yet know you. Ø Empower me to disciple those who are young in their faith. Ø Allow me to encourage those who are struggling in their faith. Ø Please give me perseverance in all areas of ministry. · Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My family · For missionaries throughout the world · For those seeking to faithfully minister to loved ones at home · For those who share the gospel in the inner city · For those who bear witness to Christ in places of power · Other needs Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:3) God is perfect love and perfect wisdom. We do not pray in order to change his will, but to bring our wills into harmony with his. (Sir William Temple)
This Week’s Scripture · Isaiah 2:1-5 · Psalm 122 · Romans 13:11-14 · Matthew 24:36-44 Adoration Psalm 122:6-9 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! 7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” 8 For my brothers and companions' sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” 9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good. Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (verse 1) Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love; hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away. Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day! (Henry Van Dyke) Take time now to offer God your praise and worship. Confession The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (Romans 13:12-14) Forgive me my sins, O Lord – the sins of my present and the sins of my past, the sins of my soul and the sins of my body, the sins which I have done to please myself and the sins which I have done to please others. Forgive me my casual sins and my deliberate sins and those which I have labored so to hide. Forgive me them, O Lord, forgive them all; for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen. (Thomas Wilson) As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving Heavenly Father, we thank you for all your promises in Holy Scripture. Your promises give us hope, assurance, and confidence in the midst of grief, fear, uncertainty, and doubt. We thank you that you so lovingly provide these promises to us and for us. We humbly ask you to give us the faith to believe them and live our lives as though they have already come to pass, because, in a manner of speaking, they have. For the fulfillment of your promises is certain and we can rest our hearts, minds, and souls upon them. You promise us that your children will one day all worship you together. You promise to teach us your ways so that we may walk in your paths. You promise to judge between the nations and to turn swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks so that, one day, we will know war no more. We pray for these things, even as we rest upon these promises. Come Lord Jesus. Amen. (from Isaiah 2:1-5) Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life. Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself) · Lord, help me to faithfully participate in the life of my congregation and for the sake of my community… Ø By my prayers Ø By my presence Ø By my gifts Ø By my service Ø By my witness · Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned · Other needs Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others) · My family · For those who serve in government, at the national, state, and local levels · For those who serve in law-enforcement · For those who serve in fire and rescue · For those who serve in our nation’s military · Other needs All thy works shall give thanks to thee, O Lord, and all thy saints shall bless thee! They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and tell of thy power. (Psalm 145:10-11) |
Click on the image above to buy my 52-week prayer guide.
Categories
All
Archives
April 2024
|